'˜Totem pole of defiance' erected in Pagham opposing housing
The pole was erected overlooking fields next to Pagham Harbour days after Arun District Council approved 400 new homes for the village.
Two other applications for 280 homes and 300 units in Pagham were not determined last Wednesday as the meeting was suspended halfway through by the development control committee chairman.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdPagham resident Giles Binyon said: “Pagham Harbour is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a Special Protection Area, a Marine Conservation Zone and also has RAMSAR and LNR status and the fields beside it provide it’s lifeblood and protection.
“The pole has been erected just days after Arun District Council narrowly and controversially appear to have approved plans to build at least 400 houses and other facilities right on top of the harbour, despite the planning meeting descending into chaos and being suspended by the chairman.”
He said the proposals would ‘not go unchallenged’.
The signs on the pole read: we shall defend this land whatever the cost, we shall fight at the planning process, we shall fight on legal grounds, we shall fight in the fields and streets, we shall fight using politics, and we shall never surrender.